Rotarians procure lab equipment to support science learners

WAKISO - To boost academic performance in under-resourced schools, Mackay Memorial College Nateete has received science lab equipment that will enhance teaching capacity and provide students with the resources they need to excel in science.

The equipment worth sh6.5m procured by Rotarians includes a microscope, reusable apparatus, glassware, and chemicals, among others.

Since science requires hands-on experience, the president of Rotary Club of Muyenga Tank Hill, Kenneth Rubango, said the equipment will complement what learners are learning in theory to do practically.

“Unfortunately, some schools do their first experiment in the UNEB exams because UNEB actually caters for the cost of the reagents, and normally the center where students sit these exams have these labs. The equipment will help students understand the concepts and also be ready to see the same equipment while doing their final exams,” disclosed Rubango.

In addition, Rubango revealed that, “We have a science in the lab project that encompasses different equipment for the science experiments spanning the biology tests, physics and chemistry. We are donating chemicals that are used in the basic investigations for science and in particular chemistry, physics and biology."

He made the remarks during the launch of the Science Education Uplift Uganda Rotary Initiative held at Mackay Memorial College in Nateete in Wakiso district on Thursday.

The initiative was started by District 9214, in partnership with the Global Uplift Project and the Rotary Clubs of Districts 5160 and 5170 in the United States of America.

This programme aims at improving science education in Uganda through the deployment of fifty-one solar-powered lights and basic science labs to secondary schools across the country.

Kenneth Rubango (second right), Rotary Club of Muyenga Tank hill president hands over science lab equipment to students during the launch Science Education Uplift Uganda Rotary Initiative at Mackay Memorial College in Nateete in Wakiso district on 17th September 2025. Looking on from left is Francisco Ssemwanga, district Governor of D9214. (Credit: Juliet Kasirye)

Since Mackay is among the top performing schools and has gaps in their laboratory experimentations, especially at advanced level, Rubango said, the school was selected because it caters for the less privileged, for whom Rotary was founded to serve.  

Rotary has seven areas of focus, including maternal and child health, disease prevention and treatment, water and sanitation, economic empowerment, environment, peace and education.

“We encourage every member, regardless of the situation that you think you are in. You can always lend a hand to students in one way or another. Together, we can change this world one day at a time.” Rubango stated.

During the handover of equipment, the Vice chair of Special Projects and Initiatives 2025/2026 Rotary District 9214, Michael Mpiima, said they are creating an immediate and measurable impact in the delivery of science education.

According to Mpiima, the project will enhance Uganda's capacity to produce future scientists by equipping schools with practical solar-powered laboratories, and each lab includes tools and materials given to schools for the subjects of physics, chemistry, and biology.

The district Governor of D9214, Francisco Ssemwanga, commended Rotarians for helping students acquire quality education. Adding that, it is very hard for a student to pass science subjects without apparatus.

“We thank our partners and all the people involved in this project. We pray that this project spreads to many underprivileged schools in Uganda and outside Uganda.” Ssemwanga stated.

During the meeting, Ssemwanga also advised students to not only take education seriously, but also guard the equipment generously and put it to proper use.

To the teachers, Ssemwanga said: “We want you to partner with us by taking good care of the equipment. We want to see an impact when we come back. If we never had an A in biology last year or we had one B in chemistry, we need to see change.”

Stylon Muwanguzi, a senior five student pursuing Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics, commended Rotarians for selecting their school for the donation.

“As far as the lab equipment is concerned, we didn’t have enough equipment. The equipment we had, some were small, and others that were broken. Since all science subjects are hands-on and we need to be practicing what we study in class, we are looking forward to having our academics improve,” said Muwanguzi.

The acting headteacher of Mackay Memorial College, James Wambi, commended Rotarians for their generosity and for considering a universal secondary school for charity.

The school has a population of 1927 students, and majority of the learners are day scholars ranging between 1300- 1400.